Tell me the best thing/s about having a dog

[painkiller86]

We are due to get a dog later this year (a Boxer) and sometimes I find myself a bit anxious and overthinking it.

Here are the facts:
One 6yo child (very keen on animals, gentle and loving and also understands when they need to be left alone
Countryside living - everyone here has dogs so enough space etc
Had the breed before, though a family pet so not as directly responsible - also had another boxer in the family and have had incredibly great experiences with both
I wfh three days a week (off the rest)
Husband wfh 2-3 days a week

I think it's just the massive change we will go through adjusting to a family pet. I need to add this was my idea and husband & child are very much on board and husband will share the care. Dogs are really really worth it right?

This boy is always happy to see me. Waggy tail, jumping around like a bunny, follows me around - makes me feel like a billion bucks. He is so sweet natured, if I sigh or if something shocks me he always has to investigate and make sure I am okay.

His puppy eyes make me melt, if he sits in front of the TV I genuinely find myself getting distracted.

I suffer from depression and have isolated myself in quite extreme ways which makes me very regretful. But knowing that “lost” time was spent in my boy’s company and making sure he was well cared for makes everything okay somehow.

And he is a goofball! Love watching him problem solve.

He was a nightmare puppy (we may or may not have theoretically asked whether he was better off going back to the breeder) but he is so easygoing now.

Our bond is profound. The unconditional love we have for each other moves me.

Squeamishly saccharine but 100% true.